Accurate IQ Testing for Visual Processing Disorders

A learning disability is a disorder that affects the brain's ability to read, write, spell, reason and organize thoughts--all necessary skills for successful learning, in the traditional sense at least. According to the National Institutes of Health, as many as 15 percent of Americans have some form of learning disability. These disorders are typically diagnosed using a full battery of evaluations, almost always including IQ tests. The good news is people with learning disabilities are just as bright as anyone else.

IQ Defined

• IQ stands for "intelligence quotient," generally understood to be a measure of a person's intelligence. IQ testing is nearly 100 years old and is still considered the standard measure of an individual's intellectual ability. The average IQ score is 100, with a range of 90-110 as the accepted norm. A score of less than 70 indicates mental retardation, while a score of more than 140 is considered genius level.

History of IQ Tests

• In the early 1900s noted psychologist Alfred Binet developed and implemented the first standardized test to evaluate struggling students in Paris. Similar tests emerged over the years and in 1926 the SAT or Scholastic Achievement Test arrived on the scene. Many varieties of Binet's original intelligence test are used today to measure ability, intellect and academic promise.

Accuracy

• The accuracy of IQ testing is widely debated for several reasons. A common criticism is that the tests do not account for variables such as race, culture, creativity and learning styles, all of which affect scores but do not necessarily indicate differences in intellect. Since the 1970s researchers have been adjusting their methods to address these concerns. Today's tests are much improved in those respects. Another challenge is that these evaluations measure fine motor skills, language proficiency and memory abilities. Learning disabled students often struggle in these areas, yet these challenges do not impact their brightness or potential.

Visual Processing Disorders

• Visual processing disorders are sensory-based.

  There are several types of visual processing disorders. They are sensory in nature and result from the brain's inability to process information it receives through the eyes. This is different from a vision problem. The disorder can affect a student's ability to discriminate visual objects from their background or from one another. Some students struggle with organizing visual information in space. Others have difficulty with memorizing visual input or recognizing whole items from their parts. These challenges make learning difficult without intervention and support.

IQ Protocol

• Professionals disagree over the best method for diagnosing learning disabilities such as visual processing disorders. The standard battery of diagnostic tests include an IQ test, most popularly the WISC-III, the third revision of David Weschler's 1949 intelligence test for children. The protocol for using IQ tests to diagnose learning problems is to measure the difference between IQ (potential) and student performance.

RTI model

• The IQ method cannot account for all learning disabilities, for some challenged students may have low IQs coupled with low performance. Many educators propose the RTI model instead. Teachers using RTI observe students and intervene when they see evidence of possible learning differences. Identified children receive support while their progress is measured. Supporters of IQ testing argue that with no empirical data, errors in diagnosis are likely, while RTI proponents assert that the focus should be on outcomes rather than test scores.

Recommendations

• Parents are the best advocates

  No single test can accurately identify a visual processing disorder. The first person in a child's life to notice a problem is usually a parent. Parents must trust their instincts and seek help as soon as they become concerned. Most school districts and clinics use a multitude of tests and observations to evaluate a child's need for special education support. Parents must educate themselves on their child's condition in order to advocate for an accurate diagnosis and appropriate intervention.